Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of parameters to study seasonality in reproductive outcome

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This report compares validity, precision and convenience of three frequently used parame ters used to describe seasonality in reproductive outcome: prevalence, index and ratio observed versus expected. Each has its advantages and disadvantages; the choice of the parameter depends on the aim of the study. It is advisable to report the number of cases and referents per month, because all three parameters can be derived from this information.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Leek I. Incidence and epidemicity of Down's syndrome. Lancet 1966 (ii): 457–460.

  2. McDonald AD. Yearly and seasonal incidence of mongolism in Quebec. Teratology 1972; 6: 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Stark CR, Mantel N. Lack of seasonal- or temporal-spatial clustering of Down's syndrome births in Michigan. Am J Epidemiol 1967; 86: 199–213.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Huntington E. Season of birth: Its relation to human abilities. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1938.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Jongbloet PH, Vrieze OJ. Down syndrome: Increased frequency of maternal meiosis I nondisjunction during the transitional stages of the ovulatory seasons. Human Genet 1985; 71: 241–248.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Harlap S. A time-series analysis of the incidence of Down's syndrome in West Jerusalem. Am J Epidemiol 1974; 99: 210–217.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Leisti J, Vahtola L, Linna SL, Herva R, Koskela SL, Vitali M. The incidence of Down syndrome in northern Finland with special reference to maternal age. Clin Genet 1985; 27: 252–257.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Källén B, Måsbäck A. Down syndrome. Seasonality and parity effects. Hereditas 1988; 109: 21–27.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rothman KJ. Modern epidemiology. Boston/Toronto: Little, Brown and Company, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Siegel S, Castellan NJ. Nonparametric statistics of the behavioral sciences, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Reijneveld SA. The choice of a statistic for testing hypotheses regarding seasonality. Am J Physic Anthropol 1990; 83: 181–184.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Informatics, Epidemiology and Statistics, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, NL-6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Annette M. Stolwijk, Gerhard A. Zielhuis & Piet H. Jongbloet

Authors
  1. Annette M. Stolwijk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gerhard A. Zielhuis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Piet H. Jongbloet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stolwijk, A.M., Zielhuis, G.A. & Jongbloet, P.H. Comparison of parameters to study seasonality in reproductive outcome. Eur J Epidemiol 11, 355–358 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719444

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719444

Key words

Search

Navigation